San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-24
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fOrG was brought home dead from the
hunting-feld, and when his affairs were
investigated, it was discovered that the
estate was deeply mOrtgaged, and that
only a few weeks before his death this
foolish man had been persuaded TO in
vest his capital in company that had
just failed.
Heavily indeed fell this new misfor-
tune on his widow and children. The
old home must be given up, and they
forced to seek living in the hard, cold
world. No wonder, then, with this sad
fate shadOwing them, that this Christ
mas Eve fell sadly and sOlemnly over
the old Manor House of Carlingford.
For further information We will, with
the readers permission, enter EthePs
room, and listen to the lOw-tOned con-
versatiOn carried on between two girls
who are sitting, as they sat year ago,
costly nestled in low easy chairs before
bright wOod-fire.
Both are changed. Ethel's face has
lost its sunny smile, and there is a
mournful, yearning expression in her
sweet dark eycs-the sweeter for their
sOrrow-that tells tale of anguish that
no loss of home or money could have
brought there.
Bella, too, is quieter, more subdued,
perhaps only out of respect for her
friends sorrow, for even now the ro-
guish twinkle in her laughing, bonnie
eyes is but half hidden beneath the long,
straight lashes that shadow them.
Darling, do not look so awfully
unhappy. am sure, positive, that after
all you will not leave dear old CARING
ford"
For Heavens sake" cried Ethel,
passiOnately, do nOt-do not remind
me of my sin, for is it not sin and a
disgrace for a woman to sell herself for
gold, as have consented to do? / to
marry man | hate, while l devotedly
love anOtherl Oh! mother, mother,
what have you forced me to suffer-"
And the girl moaned despairingly, as
she leaned back on her cushions.
After short pause she spoke more
quietly.
Bella, l have promised to marry Sir
Desmond Leslie to save my mothers
life, for the doctors say that if she has
to leave Carlingford in her present
delicate state, it may prove fatal to her;
so for her sake am to be the wife of a
man despise, and Of whom know so
little. Is there no help, dearest Bell2
Can no one save mep"
In her restless passionate pain she
had risen, and walking hastily to the
window, drew aside the heavy crimson
velvet curtain, to look out.
what a mOuruful night how CHASTITY
everything looks covered with snow,
like one vast shroudl" she whispered,
as shudderingly she let the curtain fall,
and crept back to her seat; then, her
head dropping into her slender hands,
she cried in silence, Come, come, dear
Cissy, do not give way; tomorrow may
turn out happily after ALL
Happily" The utter scorn conveyed
in that one word can scarcely be ina
gined. Happiness for me! Can | ever
forget, sleeping or waking, that to-
morrow | give up my liberty-shall
prove myself false to my lOverw
perhaps it will not be so bad; Sir
Desmond is not such a horrid old fellow
after all, when you get to know him.
If had not set my young affections on
Charlie, /
Bella FOrtcscue, thought you had
some little feeling for me, but l find |
was mistaken; let us, however, once
and for ever drop the subject of my
marriage" was Ethel's cold, dignified
interruption.
very well, my dear, but kiss and be
friends. Good night"
"No, stay with me, forgive me; can
not bear to be alone" poor Ethel plea
ded. But, Bell, you are such a strange
girl, sometimes so full of tender kind
ness, at others"
$50 heartless? So be it. But since l
am not to go just now, let us choose a
more pleasant topic to discuss than my
perverseness. have not yet had a mo-
ment to tell you how got on in my ex-
petition to the north; so stir up the fire,
and | will relate my adventures.
you must know my uncle is con-
firmed old bachelor, and hater of our
sex; some woman threw him over in
his salad days. l conclude poor old
boyI But to continue. I advanced on
the enemy with fear and trembling,
though determined not to show it; so l
surprised the fortress, which succum-
bed without firing a shot.
Il did it in this wise. Went down,
bag and baggage, and made friends
with an awfully snuffy pair of ancient
retainers of my uncle, whose duty it is
to look after him and his belongings,
for heis much too stingy to keep up any
sort of an establishment; and though
the Abbey is fine old place, it is in
frightful state of dilapidatiOn, no part
habitable, with the exception of a few
rooms in the left wing, which my uncle
occupies. Won't Charlie have to spend
a lot of coin putting the place torightsI
But to proceed. had been at the
house of my amiable relative for some
few days before he was aware of the
fact, for he never comes out of his two
rooms. A week after my arrival, how
ever, crept softly to his door, and, it
being a little way open, peeped in,
and saw the Honorable Dillon Grey
seated close to miserable fire, stirring
and slipping what appeared to me a
large goblet of rum punch.
Then he exclaimed, loudly, Con
found this punch! That old fool, Bal
ley, never can make it two days alike.